MASON CITY—The seat of justice for Cerro Gordo county, is located in the northern interior of the county, 110 miles west from the Mississippi River. It is on the line of the McGregor Western Railway, which has a flattering prospect of soon being completed to this point. At present it is connected by stage line with Cedar Falls on the DuBuque & Sioux City R. R. The village contains three church organizations, viz: Congregational, Methodist and United Brethren, and Lodge No. 143, A. F. & A. M. The Cerro Gordo Republic newspaper is published here. There are also four general stores; one flour mill; one saw mill; one drug store; one hotel; one lumber yard; one cabinet shop; one wagon shop; two blacksmith shops, and a population of 300; township 600. (Hair's Iowa State Gazetteer..., 1865)